Sea Ray SLX 310 Outboard (2019-)

Brief Summary

Sea Ray’s SLX 310 Outboard bowrider is built for entertaining friends and family, watersports of all sorts, while coving and cruising. This dayboat is a versatile vessel with standard options that include an electrically actuated power tower, digital dash, wet bar, and a day head. With room for up to 17 on board, she is made for spending an afternoon catching waves or rays, fishing or exploring.

Contents of Report

Sleek and stylish, the SLX 310 Outboard is outfitted with standard features that include a digital dash and power tower.

Mission

The Sea Ray SLX 310 Outboard is designed for comfort and socializing. Equipped with a mixture of luxury and technology, this is a vessel that handles smoothly and predictably but can also host a daylong party.

Design

There are two design elements that stand out on the SLX 310; Quiet Ride and the Dynamic Running Surface (DRS).

Sea Ray’s sound-reducing Quiet Ride technology, which consists of acoustic insulation, vibration-dampening materials and design choices to deaden sound and minimize vibration. We won’t get into the fine details here, but during the construction process Sea Ray especially tunes the transom to reduce vibration and noise, installs acoustic insulation in the hull, and uses special laminates in the hull, deck and liner that converts energy to heat to reduce vibration.

Noise reduction tests show that vessels with this technology are reported to be 6 to 12 decibels quieter while underway as compared to other boats. You can compare our sound readings of this boat to others to see for yourself.

Shown is an example of the Quiet RIDE vibration and noise reducing materials. The technology kept sound levels below 85-decibels at an economic 35 mph cruising speed during our test.

The Dynamic Running Surface consists of large, triangular planes set into the hull that create an articulated running surface. The system, which can be controlled manually or with presets, improves acceleration, reduces bow rise, and keeps the boat at optimal trim.

Power

The Sea Ray SLX 310 Outboard is powered by twin 300 horsepower Mercury Verado four-stroke outboards, which can be upgraded up to 350s. All choices have optional joystick piloting and are offered in black or white.

The Mercury outboards come with a suite of digital technologies to make boating easier. These include the SmartCraft Digital Throttle and Switch system, which provides smooth shifting and quick throttle response; and the GPS-based Active Trim system, which automatically adjusts engine trim while underway.

Vessels with the optional Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) will also be equipped with Mercury’s Skyhook digital anchor system, which has various features including Heading Adjust, which allows the driver to adjust the heading in one and ten degree increments; BowHook, which maintains the boat’s position while allowing the vessel to point in any direction, and DriftHook, where the vessel will maintain heading but will drift with the wind and current.

Our test boat was equipped with the standard twin Mercury 300-hp Verados in white, which can be upgraded up to 350-hp.

Performance

WOT Speed. We took our test boat out in relatively smooth conditions with the standard twin 300 horsepower, four-stroke Mercury Verado outboards, we found that our test boat reached a top speed of 51.3 miles per hour at 5500 rpm. At that speed, we were burning 46.5 gallons per hour for a range of 135 miles.

Best Cruise. We found that the best economic cruise came in at 4000 rpm at 35.8 mph, which brought the fuel burn down to 21.5 gallons per hour and the range up to 237 miles. The SLX 310 Outboard was quick to respond to the throttle, coming up on plane at 4.8 seconds and cruising through 20 miles per hour in 17 seconds.

Handling

We found that the SLX 310 Outboard was quick to respond to the throttle and offered a solid and smooth ride. At cruising speeds, the boat was comfortable and predictable, and the high freeboard kept passengers relatively dry. The optional joystick makes precise piloting docking a breeze at slow speeds.

Features Inspection

The SLX 310 Outboard has a length overall of 31’6” (9.60 m), a beam of 10’2” (3.10 m), and an approximate dry weight of 10,335 lbs. (4,688 kg). The base model starts at $252,737.

An overhead view of the layout shows that the SLX 310 Outboard has a plethora of seating options.

Transom

Sea Ray built the SLX 310 Outboard with a full-beam swim platform, and positioned the outboards so that it’s possible to walk on the platform behind them to reach either side of the vessel. 4’ (1.22 m) extensions on either side of the outboards extend the length of the platform, a feature that keeps swimmers away from the props and offers more room to perform engine checks and maintenance.

To port is a folding swim step built into the swim platform that eases entry and exit into the water and there is a second re-boarding ladder to starboard with a grab handle.

There is 1’1” (.33 m) of space between the edge of the swim platform and the sun pad. In this picture, you can also see the swim step, which is stowed for travel.

The transom sun pad, which lifts up by grabbing the rail underneath the pad, a storage compartment underneath and it has two panels built into the seat that raise up to convert the sun pad into aft-facing seats. Built into the starboard armrest is a remote for the radio as well as a 12-volt charging station with cup holders on both sides.

A close up of the starboard armrest. Note the 12-volt charging station, stereo controls, and cup holder.

The backrests in the aft facing sun pad can be adjusted to five different levels.

Cockpit

From the swim platform, move forward through the walkway and step down to access the cockpit. The SLX 310 Outboard has plenty of space for a large group; the L-shaped seating wraps up from the stern to the portside, and the seats have adjacent cup holders and grab rails. A corner seat is positioned forward of the wet bar, which is equipped with a freshwater sink and can be fitted with an optional grill and refrigerator. Storage is accessed via side panels and underneath all of the seats.

From the cockpit, the operator can lift up the sun pad via hydraulics to access the engine steering pump, engine start battery, house batteries, and engine start battery.

Built into the walkway is a hatch that lifts to access a storage space that comes with a removal tub.

Battery switches are built into the starboard hull side and are easy to access just after boarding.

Seating wraps around the cockpit. The table is standard, and can be stored beneath the transom sun pad. Note the corner seat forward of the wet bar.

Beneath the corner bench, which is forward of the wet bar, is dedicated storage for the standard cooler.

The cockpit wet bar sits to starboard near the walkway. Our test boat came with the optional grill.

Power Tower

The SLX 310 Outboard comes standard with an aluminum power tower equipped with an electrically actuated canvas sureshade and a tow point for water sports. This can be upgraded to a fiberglass hardtop ($19,015), which has a manually operated center section that can be opened to let the sun in. The hardtop also has an electrically powered shade that can shade the aft end of the boat. The control switches to actuate the tower are located in the starboard hull, within easy reach of the rear cockpit bench seat.

Shown is the optional fiberglass hardtop, which uses an integral carbon-fiber beam to eliminate the stainless-steel pipe work.

Helm

The helm is placed to starboard and forward of the wet bar. Our test boat had the standard dual 9” (.23 m) Simrad displays, which can be upgraded to 12” (.30 m) screens. The SLX 310 Outboard comes standard with NAVIOP Digital Switching and Mercury VesselView Link, in addition to a chartplotter, transducer, and fishfinder. There are no gauges to look at since the vessel is outfitted with Mercury Digital Suite.

Because the 310 OB comes with the Mercury Digital Suite, there is no need for gauges. The relevant information can be viewed via the displays.

Below the dash and to the left of the wheel are the controls for the Fusion Apollo stereo, push button switches, and the digital start ignition. To starboard, on the armrest, are the manual tabs for the optional Dynamic Running Surface, throttle controls, Smart Craft Digital Throttle and Shift tabs, and the joystick.

The digital throttle control, forward of the optional joystick, is standard and delivers smoother shifting and immediate throttle response.

Helm Seating

The doublewide helm seat features more premium vinyl with contrast stitching as well as independent bolsters. Built into the base of the seat is a storage compartment, and there is an angled footrest with grip material built into the floor.

The dual helm seat, which shows the three-tone vinyl and double diamond-contrast stitching used throughout the vessel has a flip-up bolster and a fiberglass base.

The passenger helm seat is opposite the main helm. It swivels to face forward and aft. Forward of the passenger helm is a console with a locking glove box, a 12-volt charging station, cup holders and rubberized materials to keep lose objects in place. There is also a storage compartment easily accessed by lifting a panel. In the floor between the two helm seats is a large in-floor storage locker, which comes with a sliding drawer for more storage.

The doublewide passenger helm has a flip down bolster and armrests, all currently stowed.

In this picture, the passenger seat is shown facing aft.

Head

The forward console houses a head with a sink, VacuFlush toilet, port light, a wood shelf, and storage cabinets. The floor is built with gripping materials for secure footing. The door is lockable, and headroom is improved by having to step down into the space.

The enclosed head has approximately 4’6” (1.37 m) of standing room.

Bow

Open up the air dam and pass through the cross-curved windshield to access the bow. This section of the vessel can accommodate up to six passengers and features wraparound seating with twin, doublewide forward-facing backrests with flip-up armrests. Recessed grab rails, speakers and cup holders are also in place. Storage is under all of the seats, and the starboard seat back lifts up to reveal a compartment that extends well below the helm. An optional filler cushion can convert the entire area into a sun pad. There are also port and starboard mounting points to install the bow shade system, so that passengers can relax out of the sun.

The center seat lifts up for access to the anchor locker. Fully forward is a hatch that lifts up for access to the optional windlass, which can also be controlled from the helm. To the sides are the optional spotlight, freshwater shower, and navigation lights.

The bow has a selection of amenities, including forward facing backrests, armrests, cup holders, and table mounts. This image shows the optional filler cushion.

The windlass locker is at the peak of the bow. Also shown is the spotlight, to port, and the hatch for the stowed bow sprayer.

Trailer

Optional Equipment

Packed with many amenities as standard, there are few options left to consider for the SLX 310 Outboard. Sea Ray offers some options, such as a grill, spotlight, and filler cushions as well as technology geared to assist vessel handling, such as the Mercury Active Trim and the Dynamic Running Surface trim tab system. There is a premier audio upgrade package, which includes the installation of a transom remote, four pairs of fusion 6.5” speakers, a 10” subwoofer and two amps. The vessel can also be customized with a selection of choices for the colors, and flooring materials.

Warranty

Sea Ray offers two factory warranty programs. The 5-year provides bow to stern coverage of the boat and it’s components from defects in material and workmanship as well as limited lifetime coverage on the hull structure and deck. The 3-year warranty offers tier-level protections based on the class of vessel. For the SLX 310 OB, this plan includes three-year coverage of bow-to-stern components, 5 years coverage against blister, and ten year limited coverage over the hull structure and deck.

Observations

Sea Ray offers a version of the 310 with sterndrives, keeping the same layout. Outboards have a long list of advantages including having more stowage, the engines are easier to maintain and repower, quicker to plane and are more resistant to corrosion. However, the outboards take up a lot of space on the swim platform, which is a serious consideration if activity on the boat involves having swimmers in the water and if those on board are participating with tow sports. The sterndrive version also comes with a hydraulic swim platform, which is unavailable with the outboard model.

The outboard setup has increased interior storage, is more corrosion-resistant and it is possible to reach a higher top speed than with the sterndrive model.